ORANGE PARK – Many of Billy Clark Foster's former Burger King co-workers and friends choked back tears and held green balloons on Saturday night, all still trying to grasp for answers why …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, below, or purchase a new subscription.
Please log in to continueDon't have an ID?Print subscribersIf you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribersClick here to see your options for subscribing. Single day passYou also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass. |
ORANGE PARK – Many of Billy Clark Foster's former Burger King co-workers and friends choked back tears and held green balloons on Saturday night, all still trying to grasp for answers why their friend was stabbed to death on Monday, Feb. 2.
Then, shortly after 8:10 p.m., about 50 released their balloons and pointed to the heavens and waved as if to tell Foster they loved him one more time. They hugged each other, most wiping tears as the balloons disappeared in the nighttime sky.
Two days earlier on Thursday, Feb. 4, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office identified and arrested Charles Franklin Jones Jr. in connection with the fatal stabbing Foster, who was killed following an altercation in a parking lot near the 100 block of Knight Boxx Road.
CCSO detectives found the meeting was pre-planned due to several days of prior communication. The purpose of the meeting is still under investigation.
Foster drove to the Winn-Dixie parking lot, presumably seeking help, but he was found slumped in his car. Despite live-saving efforts by CCSO and Clay County Fire Rescue, he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
On Friday, as many as 25 deputies with Clay County and the K-9 unit from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office scoured both sides of Knight Boxx Road in a coordinated grid search for evidence related to the case.
Clay County officials said it was an isolated incident between these two individuals and it posed no threat to anyone else.
Jones, 41, of Orange Park, was arrested during a traffic stop in Orange Park. He was taken into custody without incident.
On Friday morning, Judge Raymond Forbes ordered him held without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 3.
Jones was booked into the Clay County Jail and charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, depriving the victim of access to 911 and knowingly driving with a suspended license.
While there are no outstanding suspects, this is still an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 264-6512 and refer to case number 2026002829. You can also submit an anonymous tip through the SaferWatch App or contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-8477 (TIPS).
